The neglected football frontier has 15,000 registered players and the financial largess of “football crazy” former Melbourne Victory board heavyweights Robert Belteky and Harry Stamoulis behind it.

It also enjoys federal, state and local government backing, with the likelihood of approval for a new multi-purpose boutique stadium being granted imminently to provide the final crucial piece of the jigsaw.

Bid spokesperson Victoria Morton, head of South Hobart FC, believes Tasmania “has never been more ready”, confirming the consortium had registered their Expression of Interest with FFA well ahead of Thursday’s deadline.

“Apart from the solid financial backing behind the bid we’ve got bi-partisan support from just about every politician in the state,” she said.

“Our financial backers are crazy about football and as a bid we think we’ll be turning people away from memberships because we won’t have enough seats in our facilities for them to watch.

However, this bid document is not about the past National Soccer League (NSL) glories or number of titles.

Outlined throughout the 100-page document is a 14-year case study of a committed football community building every element of a professional club to not only compete in the top flight, but contribute to the sustainability of Football for girls, boys, women, men and fans in Australia for generations to come.

We have you, the supporters, players and community to thank.

It’s no secret that 14 years ago SMFC was disappointed not to be a part of the inaugural A-League. The decisions relating to the formation of the A-League are well documented. Simply being a successful part of the old world (NSL) would no longer guarantee the club a seat at the table. It was watershed moment for the club.

Despite the disappointment, our response was to “get to work” on creating the “new” SMFC. Many people have provided support to keep the club moving forward.

We sincerely thank you for your support.

As your President, it is an absolute privilege to serve this club.

The next steps will be announced towards the end of June.

Yours sincerely,
Leo Athanasakis
SMFC President

Gold Coast United Chairman Danny Maher has come out and said that an A-League license shouldn't be issued to a side who doesn't support both men's and women's football.

However, the 'Invitation of EOI' has stated:

A Respondent may, where relevant, seek to address participation in the W-League and Y-League as part of its EOI Response, however, the expansion of those competitions will not automatically occur in line with expansion of the A-League because there are different factors governing their evolution and growth.

So the majority of the teams who have made their EOI have done so without supporting women's football or having announced their intentions for a W-League license as well.

The FFA Head of Women's Emma Highwood said earlier this year they were weighing up all their options as to where they want to go with W-League in the future as a full home and away season, better tv rights and expansion are all on the cards. 

The bid is seen as an outside chance, with FFA preferring expansion sides in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, but it has not deterred City president Maurice Oteri.

“I don’t know how the bid is going to go. We are all in the same boat,” Oteri said.

“Who knows what is going to happen but I didn’t go in there to make up the numbers.

“I have better things to do with my time than make up the numbers.”

Oteri says he has $10 million worth of pledges from local backers and will next month hold talks with Italian giants Juventus about investment and furthering their soccer partnership.

City already have links with the Italian champions through their academy and if they are short-listed, will discuss financial investment.

“The money is there,” Oteri said.

“There is enough people there to say I will invest money if I know what my return on capital and investment is going to be.”